fore, for selenium the RDA is 120 percent of the EAR). The calculated RDA is rounded to the nearest 5 µg.

RDA for Men

19–30 years

55 µg (0.70 µmol)/day of selenium

31–50 years

55 µg (0.70 µmol)/day of selenium

RDA for Women

19–30 years

55 µg (0.70 µmol)/day of selenium

31–50 years

55 µg (0.70 µmol)/day of selenium

Adults Ages 51 Years and Older

Evidence Considered in Estimating the Average Requirement

Adults ages 51 years and older appear to have the same selenium requirement as younger adults. No pathological conditions related to selenium insufficiency have been reported in older individuals, and markers of selenium status in blood do not differ by age or gender (Hill et al., 1996).

Selenium EAR and RDA Summary, Ages 51 Years and Older

Data from intervention studies support an EAR for the age group 51 years and older of 45 µg/day. The aging process does not appear to impair selenium absorption or utilization.

EAR for Men

51–70 years

45 µg (0.57 µmol)/day of selenium

>70 years

45 µg (0.57 µmol)/day of selenium

EAR for Women

51–70 years

45 µg (0.57 µmol)/day of selenium

>70 years

45 µg (0.57 µmol)/day of selenium

The RDA for selenium is set by assuming a coefficient of variation (CV) of 10 percent (see Chapter 1) because information is not available on the standard deviation of the requirement for selenium; the RDA is defined as equal to the EAR plus twice the CV to cover the needs of 97 to 98 percent of the individuals in the group (therefore, for selenium the RDA is 120 percent of the EAR). The calculated RDA is rounded to the nearest 5 µg.

RDA for Men

51–70 years

55 µg (0.70 µmol)/day of selenium

>70 years

55 µg (0.70 µmol)/day of selenium

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 500 Fifth St. N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20001